Adding lignan values to a food composition database

The dietary lignans secoisolariciresinol (SEC) and matairesinol (MAT) are phytoestrogens structurally similar to the hormone estrogen and may exert estrogenic effects in the body. Quantification of dietary intake of phytoestrogens is of particular interest for the study of hormone-related diseases. The purpose of this project was to expand the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii Food Composition Table (FCT) to include values for SEC and MAT. Published analytical data for these two dietary lignans were compiled and evaluated for inclusion in the database. Eleven literature sources were identified with applicable analytical values. Using these sources, foods in the FCT were assigned values as a direct match, imputation, calculated value or assumed zero. A total of 1332 (89%) of the individual foods in the FCT were assigned values for SEC and MAT. Sixty-eight foods were direct matches, 553 were imputed, 394 were calculated, and 317 were assumed zero; 173 foods were indicated as having unknown lignan content. Levels of SEC and MAT ranged from 0–885.4 to 0–578.8 μg/100 g wet weight, respectively. The addition of SEC and MAT values to the FCT will allow researchers studying diet and disease to quantify intake of these dietary lignans.